The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has given assurances that the current banknotes will continue to be used despite the passing of His Majesty the King.

In response to public concerns that banknotes currently in their possession would soon become obsolete after the King’s passing, BoT Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob urged the people not to worry as the notes will be kept in circulation indefinitely. He stressed that, even when a new set of banknotes is issued in the future, the existing ones carrying images of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will still be usable.

According to the BoT Governor, the new notes will require royal permission from the new King prior to their production and distribution. When the time comes, he said the central bank will notify the people well in advance.

The government has asked public and private organisations preparing to produce 2017 calendars to wait for changes in public holidays involving the monarch.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said it will take some time to determine new public holidays following the passing of His Majesty the King. He advises organisations that want to produce 2017 calendars and diaries to wait for changes to be announced.

"The government understands this may inconvenience those who want to produce calendars for next year and is sorry about the problems as determining new public holidays will take some time," he said.

Some museums and parks across Thailand free through January to honor late king

All national museums and historical parks nationwide will be open for free for everyone – Thais and foreigners alike – now through the end of January.

In Bangkok, that means free access to places such as the main Bangkok National Museum, Royal Elephant National Museum and National Museum of Royal Barges, according to an announcement Thursday by the Fine Arts Department.

Thailand’s 10 national historical parks are located in as many provinces. They include the old capital of Ayutthaya, ancient grounds in Sukhothai and a millennium-old Khmer temple complex in Buriram. Four are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Free entry at all sites excludes fees for vehicles, parking, bicycle rental and other costs.

Wonderfruit announces postponement of festival to February to Honor the late king

Wonderfruit, the 3-day artsy, hippie, hi-so festival that was gearing up to hold its third annual edition in Pattaya in December, announced the postponement of their event to honor and respect the passing of the late HM the King and the mourning of the Thai people.

The festival will now be held from Feb. 16-19 in the same location, The Fields at Siam Country Club.

The statement said:

“We are greatly saddened by the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. His dedication, devotion, and dignity have inspired generations of Thai people. His vision and guidance has uplifted the country, and secured sustainable development for future generations. We feel proud to have been served as subjects during his reign and his legacy will remain imprinted in our hearts.
At this time of most profound grief at our sudden loss, and with our heartfelt dedication to pay tribute and respect to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, we are obliged to announce the postponement of Wonderfruit to 16 - 19 February 2017, at The Fields at Siam Country Club, Pattaya, Thailand.

All existing ticket-holders are eligible for a full refund which can be redeemed via our ticketing agent, Event Pop between 1 - 30 November 2016."

Australian football fans must tone down their dress and resist chanting or any "joyful activities" if they want to support the Socceroos at their World Cup qualifier with Thailand next month.

The Nov 15 match will go ahead as originally planned, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said on Friday, but both the Australians and Thai hosts have asked fans to be mindful the host nation is mourning following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The upcoming Loy Krathong Festival and various other events from Christmas to Songkran can take place, although they must adhere to a strict dress code and express mourning over the late monarch.

“For example, people should put on a black ribbon while attending the festivals,” Deputy PM General Tanasak Patimapragorn said yesterday.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on October 13, throwing his people into deep grief. Thailand is now a sea of black and white as Thais grieve over the demise of their much-revered monarch.

Tanasak yesterday convened a meeting of the National Culture Commission to determine guidelines for the celebrations of key festivals such as Loy Krathong, Christmas, New Year, the Chinese New Year and Songkran.

After the meeting he said the celebrations could be held in line with local traditions and context.

“Fireworks and firecrackers can be lit at appropriate venues and with permission from authorities,” he said.

The government is to consider within this week how to ease the restriction in order to allow entertainers and entertainment venues to resume operations.

Government spokesman Lt-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Monday that although the country is observing mourning for the passing of HM the King, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha is concerned with the impacts of the mourning on entertainers and entertainment venues.

He said that prime minister had assigned one of his deputies, General Thanasak Patimaprakorn, to discuss authorities concerned, entertainers, operators of entertainment places and members of the public about how to ease the impacts.

As for the operations of TV stations, Lt-Gen Sansern said he expected TV stations, including cable TV, would be able to resume airing their programmes as normal after the passing of the first 30 days of mourning.

Parties, festivals, and other forms of public entertainment may resume Nov. 14, a government spokeswoman announced Tuesday.

That’s the day the month-long ban on such events was imposed by the military government after the Oct. 13 death of King Bhumibol at 88.

Regime spokeswoman Taksada Sangchan confirmed that public festivities may resume in two weeks when the ban is lifted, but encouraged organizers to be respectful of the ongoing mourning period to be observed through October 2017.

Thailand may have new king this Dec 1
THAI officials are preparing to install Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as the nation’s new king this Dec 1, according to senior military sources.

International newswire Reuters quoted the sources as saying Monday that this is the expected date for now, although the final decision still rests on the prince.

The report said news of the December timeframe comes following the prince’s weekend departure for Germany where he is tending to business. One senior military source said the prince is expected to return to the kingdom sometime this month.

“We are making preparations. Everything is being prepared for Dec 1,” another military source was quoted as saying.

“But this timeframe also depends on His Royal Highness,” the source added.

A month ago, the country lost their beloved HM the king and a 30-day mourning period was announced, to be proceeded by another 11 months to make a full year of mourning.

Today, the 30 days has passed, so what does that mean for life in Thailand and in Bangkok, specifically?

Well, many areas held special prayers and rituals to mark the 30-day mark, and many places will hold further ceremonies after another 20 days to mark 50 days since the late king’s passing, reported National News Bureau.

A month ago, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha banned celebrations, live music, sporting events and other festivities to mourn the late king's death. As part of that, the fireworks and music that usually accompany Loy Krathong are banned from this year's festival, reported The Nation.

It’s assumed that the strictly black-and-white dress code will start to relax, with people blending in more blues, grays and other neutrals. You’ll probably still get some looks if you prance out in a red dress though. Though no formal announcement has been made regarding clothing, it’s been stated that Thais and foreigners should dress “appropriately.” Those working in government offices will don black for another 11 months.

According to the Bangkok Post, all sporting events that were canceled as part of the 30-day mourning period will resume today, including Muay Thai at Rajadamnern and Lumpinee Stadiums.

Live music events, all of which were also canceled a month ago, can be resumed as well. Many big events have been rescheduled though some tours that were passing through the city were not and tickets are in the process are being refunded.

Big festivals that were meant to take place over the last month have been moved to the new year. The Wonderfruit festival will now take place from Feb. 16-19, 2017 and Mystic Valley, in Khao Yai, will happen from Feb.3-5, 2017.

According to Campaign Asia, regular TV broadcasting can resume as well today. They noted that many news outlets, brands and shops are still retaining monotone window displays and home pages and many ad campaigns have been put off until next year.
Banners, photos and sashes commemorating the late king will likely remain up for the next 11 months but Thai flags can now be raised to full height.

First stage or royal succession completed
The first steps that would eventually lead to the formal succession of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn were completed Monday morning, with the cabinet convening to acknowledge his rightful claim to the throne as required by the constitution.

After the meeting ended at about 10:30am, government officials said a dispatch was on the way to the interim parliament, the National Legislative Assembly, to notify lawmakers of the royal heir’s wish to succeed the throne.

Per procedures prescribed in the constitution, assembly chairman Pornpetch Wichitcholchai will meet with the Crown Prince and ceremoniously ask him to take throne. He will then inform the parliament, at which point the succession would be finalized.

Members of the assembly are already gathering at the House of Parliament for the session, which will convene at 11am. It will be broadcast live on television.

Crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn named new King
CROWN Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, became Thailand’s new king on Thursday after he accepted an invitation from parliament to succeed his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October.

King Bhumibol, 88, was widely loved and regarded as a pillar of stability during decades of political turbulence and rapid development in the Southeast Asian nation.

Prince Vajiralongkorn, who will be known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, according to a statement released by parliament’s public relations department, met Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, at Bangkok’s Dusit Palace.

“I would like to accept the invitation for the benefit of the Thai people,” the new king said in a televised statement.

His ascension will likely allay worries among some analysts that the kingdom was headed for a period of instability following the death of King Bhumibol, according to a senior Western diplomat who declined to be named because speaking about the royal family is a sensitive matter in Thailand.

“This royal succession highlights a desire for stability and continuity in Thailand,” he said.

ARTISTS UNVEIL DESIGN FOR KING BHUMIBOL’S FUNERAL PYRE
The Late King’s contributions to society will be reflected in the design of his royal funeral pyre, according to the most detailed plan yet released by the officials in charge of the project.

Four ponds, a rice field, a reservoir and water mill will be part of the features, according to landscape architect Porntham Thammawimol and the government Fine Arts Department, which unveiled images from a 3D model on Friday.

The design offers the best look yet at the center of what will be the grandest royal ritual in decades. The multi-million baht funeral pyre is expected to be completed by September, just before the anniversary of the death of King Bhumibol.

Department director Anan Chuchote said the complex of the pyre, known in Thai as meru, will cover a length of 80 meters on the northern side of the Royal Cremation Grounds, or Sanam Luang.

Boasting the most ambitious work mustered by Thai craftsmanship, the meru will feature elaborate figurines depicting magical creatures and deities from Hindu cosmology.

The cremation for King Bhumibol, who died at 88 on Oct. 13, is expected to take place about a year after his death.

Royal funeral planned for late December
The funeral of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, expected to be in late December, will take place over five days, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Wednesday attended a meeting of a government committee overseeing the funeral of the late King.

The princess accepted an invitation from the panel to advise the government on the royal cremation ceremonies.

At the meeting, the princess mentioned the tentative schedule for the ceremonies and suggested the rites be scheduled for Dec 25-29 this year.

The Princess advised the committee to submit the suggested schedule to His Majesty the King for consideration.

The PM's Office also issued a tentative schedule for the cremation ceremonies.

On the first day, a merit-making ceremony will be held at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace where the body of the late King is lying in state.

On the second day, the body of the late King will be moved from the throne hall to the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang where the cremation will be held. On the third day, a ceremony to collect the cremated remains of the late King will be held at Sanam Luang.

On the fourth day, a merit-making event will be held for the remains of the late King at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall.

On the fifth day, a meal will be provided for monks in the throne hall and a ceremony will take place to transfer the receptacle containing the royal remains to the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne inside the Grand Palace where they will be kept permanently.

Government dismisses holding royal funeral ceremony at end of December
The government dismissed a report spread widely on the social media that the royal funeral ceremony for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej has now been fixed during December 25-30.
Government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd flatly denied the report saying it was untrue.

Instead, he said that the committee in charge of organising the royal cremation ceremony has met last Wednesday (March 1) and agreed to hold the ceremony during the final week of October.

The agreement of the committee has been forwarded to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal consideration, he said.

The spokesman then called on the people not to share the false information which could bring about confusion and misunderstanding among the public.

The spokesman also said the weekly physical exercise on Wednesdays for government officials to perform was called off due to the summer heat.